The Bureau of Land Management is working on a new plan for the sage grouse, but conservation groups are divided with some saying it does not offer enough protections, and some groups say the plan is being rushed.
The BLM’s plan affects 69 million acres over 10 states and does not designate areas of critical environmental concern. Those areas would require special management.
The American Bird Conservancy is disappointed with that plan but the Natural Resources Defense Council says it is an important step in protecting the sage grouse and its resources.
The plan comes with a 90-day comment period, which NCBA calls “laughable,” saying it needs more input from the public.
